The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-03-05
TROTTER CONFIRMED.

Only Eleven Votes Cast Against Him-Sur-
prise and Indignation in the District.
Special to the Indianapolis Journal
WASHINGTON, March 4-Quite as much in
dignation as surprise was expressed by residents
of this city when 1t became known, this morn
ing, that the Senate had confirmed Trotter the
second colored man nominated as recorder of
deeds for the District of Columbia. It was taken
for granted by almost everybody that the nomi-
nation would be rejected solely on the ground
that Trotter was not resident of the District,
but the Republicans and several Democrats con-
cluded to vote for confirmation, fearing that the
ground of objection would be misinterpreted or
misconstrued. and the people If the country
would lay it to the fact that he is colored man.
There is the greatest indignation expressed to-
night, and no one can be found unless he is a
mugwump, who indorses either the nomination
or the confirmation. This evenings Star, which,
till Trotter was nominated, heartily Endorsed
the administration, speaks the universal senti-
ment as follows:
1.-THE confirmation of Trotter has a practical
bearing. and bearing upon principle. Prac-
ticallv, the despotic power and avowed intent in
this matter of the President (who is king in the
District if only President elsewherel, coupled
with the sharp trick of appointing Trotter
deputy recorder, had already doomed the Dis
trict without hope of escape to have this carpet
Dagger loaded upon its shoulders, and to pay him
in fees. unaided by the government, at the rate
of 81 600 per month, for his triaing services as
old Man of the Sea- Practically, therefore.
the wrong done by the President has not been
aggravated by the confirmation of Trotter. The
revolution of the recordershp pap dish has been
stopped and possible ground of objection to
the legality of the record Of subsequent District
conveyances is removed. In principle, how
ever the action of the Senate cannot be sus-
tanned. In the contest with the President it
has gone to the wall; it has abandoned con-
sistency. cast suspicion upon its previous action.
sacrificed principle, and connived at a wrong
done to the District by the President in pursuit
of supposed party advantage"
There seems to have been very little contest
in the Senate over the confirmation of Trotter.
and no utterance of the Senate has been, or is
the body, though apparently inconsistent with
the principles enunciated in connection with the
Matthews case upon the heels of which it so
closely follows, is explained in variety of ways
Mr. Trotter came, it is urged. with an excellent
record as an ex Union soldier, which, with the
Senate, counts for much. No charge was made
against him. as was the case with Matthews,
either of business or political nature, and there
was nothing to be said in bis opposition beyond
the fact that he is an alien to the District.
| Upon this point, SO strongly urged in the Mat
thews case it is said that the Senate has made a
record of its misunderstanding pronounced
itself emphatically in favor of the selection of
District man for a purely local Office. The
vote stood 80 to IL OF the minority. three only
| Ingalls,, Sabin and Palmer-are Republicans.
Among the other confirmations was that of
George w. Julian, to be Surveyor general Of